Gabriel promised me that one day, when he could, he would help someone the way I helped him. He kept that promise. He built a successful business, and he came back to thank me. But I asked him to wait until after I was gone.
My tears blurred the words.
Gabriel lowered his eyes. “I wanted to repay her. But she told me the only thing she wanted was for you to know that kindness is never wasted.”
I looked at the man I had resented for twenty years and finally understood.
My mother hadn’t given away my love. She had shown me how far love could reach.
I embraced Gabriel, sobbing.
For the first time since Mom died, I felt her kindness beside me.
And I knew I would spend the rest of my life passing it on.
